Steppingstones on the Celtic Way Mark Condy’s Thoughts for further insight for those who are interested.

https://markscelticchristianspirituality.com/retreat-signature-focus/

Possibly use my book as a spiritual reflection tool

http://www.lulu.com/shop/mark-condy/a-journey-with-the-celtic-cross/paperback/product-22947957.html

or the booklet/workbook I’m presently writing.

For some reading options here is a link of suggestions: PDF: Book Recommendation

*The Condy Family stay to visit family and go to Portugal to visit Lucia, Grace, and Darren his brother who has moved there.

https://www.booking.com

The Agenda is all subject to change dependent on the needs of the group and to consider the pace that we need to take.

“For a successful pilgrimage experience, the outer journey must never be so filled with activity that the inner journey is crowded out.” pg 6 Soulfaring.

“Thus the focus of a pilgrimage is the interior growth resulting from an exterior journey.” pg 9 Soulfaring.

“So it is a search for self and a search for God or the divine. A generous time needs to be allowed at each holy place, this may mean that the pilgrimage visits fewer holy sites, it also means pilgrims will be able to savor the particular spiritual qualities or numen of each place. Such use of time will greatly enhance the overall pilgrimage.” Pg 6 Soulfaring Celtic Pilgrimage Then and Now, by Cintra Pemberton, O.S.H.

A suggestion was given off a Taxi service, this may be a cheaper option for our transportation needs when we are visiting.

Take the train to Waverly Station, bus, or taxi from the airport.

https://www.edinburghairport.com/transport-links/travel-into-edinburgh

https://www.lothianbuses.com/our-services/airport-buses/

Following is the itinerary is firmed up to include:

Edinburgh Accommodation

3 nights in Edinburgh on the Royal Mile to experience its surrounds and be immersed in the culture and get over jet lag

The accommodation has been booked at Edinburgh Castle Hideaway, Lawnmarket, Air BnB on Royal Mile for the nights of June 26, 27, and 28, 2019. It is wonderfully located has 5 bedrooms and 2 baths.

The following are some of the possibilities for the group to decide upon seeing when we are in Edinburgh

The first section was compiled by Mary Ann Crist

SCOTLAND June 25 – July 5

Fly to Edinburgh arrive 26th Edinburgh
27 Edinburgh
28 Edinburgh
29 Jedburgh
30 Jedburgh
1 Holy Island
2 Holy Island
3 St. Andrews
4 Edinburgh
Airport 5 Fly to Dayton

The Pilgrimage Group some have different flying arrangements

Tuesday, June 25, Flight: Air Canada 1904, Toronto =>Edinburgh 6:55pm – Edinburgh 6:35am
Wednesday, June 26 (Edinburgh) @

Edinburgh Castle Hideaway (Check-in 4pm. Msg host for early check-in)

Lawnmarket, Royal Mile

505 Lawnmarket EH1 2PE

44 7989 406455 (Host: Kelly)

Thursday, June 27 (Edinburgh) Edinburgh Castle Hideaway

Friday, June 28 (Edinburgh) Edinburgh Castle Hideaway

Saturday, June 29 (Jedburgh)

Pick up the rental car by 10am (Hertz – 10 Picardy Place 44 0843 309 3026)

Drive to Jedburgh

Allerton House (Check in at 4pm)

Oxnam Road TD8 6QQ

44 1835 869633

Sunday, June 30 (Jedburgh) Allerton House

Monday, July 1 (Holy Island) Drive to Holy Island (Can only cross at low tide—Check tide chart)

The Open Gate (Notify them of arrival time)

Holy Island

Berwick-upon-Tweed TD15

01289 389222

Tuesday, July 2 (Holy Island) The Open Gate

Wednesday, July 3 (St. Andrews)

Drive to St. Andrews

The Albany St Andrews (Check in at 2pm)

56 North Street KY16 9AH

44 1334 477737

Drive to Edinburgh

Thursday, July 4 (Edinburgh Airport)

Hampton by Hilton Edinburgh Airport (Check in 3pm)

Almond Avenue, Ingleston, Newbridge EH12 9DN

Friday, July 5 (Fly)

Drop off the rental car by Friday at 9am

Recommended sights in Edinburgh

Royal Mile: Historic city road lined with museums, pubs, and shops.
Edinburgh Castle: Hilltop fort and royal residence complete with crown jewels and history. $23
National Museum of Scotland: Artifacts from prehistoric times to 20th century.
Gladstones Land: Seventeenth-century merchant’s residence. $10
St. Giles Cathedral: Preaching home of John Knox with Neo-Gothic chapel/spectacular organ.
Scottish Parliament Building: Striking headquarters for parliament since 1999.
Palace of Holyroodhouse: Queen’s splendid home with lavish rooms, 12th-century abbey. $15
Scottish National Gallery: European Masters and Scotland’s finest artists.
Scottish National Portrait Gallery: Beautifully displayed Who’s Who of Scottish history.
Georgian House: Intimate peek at upper-crust life in the late 1700’s. $10
Royal Yacht Britannia: Ship for the Royal family with a history of famous passengers. $20
Scotch whiskey Experience: Gimmicky but fun and educational. $18-$32
The Real Mary King’s Close: Underground street and houses last occupied in 1600’s. $20
Museum of Childhood: Five stories of historic fun.
People’s Story Museum: Everyday life from the 18th to 20th century.
Museum of Scotland: Historic mementos.
Rosslyn Chapel: Small 15th century church full of carvings. $12

Transportation and tour options

Hop-on, Hop-off Bus Tours of City: $18-$28
Royal Edinburgh Ticket: 2 days of unlimited bus travel, admission to Castle, Britannia and Holyroodhouse $65 (www.royaledinburghticket.co.uk)
Day Trips from Edinburgh: Highlands Tours: 8am – 8:30pm: $65
Stirling: One-hour train trip from Edinburgh. Castle $20. Stirling Bagpipes: Shop that makes and refurbishes bagpipes.

Things to do in Edinburgh continuation by Mark

Free to explore as the individual or as the group feels led and desire?

St, Cuthbert Kirk?
St, Cuthbert Kirk: St. Cuthbert.
St, Cuthbert Kirk: Exploring the Psalms.
APP for the phone: Pilgrim for and hour Edinburgh?
Labyrinth Walk?
Royal Mile shops?
St, Giles Cathedral?
Princess Street Gardens?
Botanical Garden?
Mary King’s Close is a historic close located under buildings on the Royal Mile?
Greyfriars Bobby?
Arthur’s Seat?
Royal Mile closes?
Camera Obscura?
Dynamic Earth?
Art Museum: Scottish National Gallery?
Edinburgh Castle?
The Elephant House? -J.K.Rowling wrote Harry Potter
Holyrood Palace?
Summerhall?
Celtic Craft Centre?
Take a coach tour?
Paid tours?
Bus City Site Seeing?
Rosslyn Chapel?
https://www.britannica.com/place/Edinburgh-Scotland/images-videos

http://www.st-cuthberts.net/celhist.php

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

http://www.st-cuthberts.net/celhist.phphttps://www.visitscotland.com/info/see-do/st-cuthberts-church-p245131

An App that looks interesting to possibly use

Description of App

The city center of Edinburgh, Scotland is a bustling place, bursting with energy and activity. It is good to be able to join in, but the walk set out in this App offers an opportunity to explore the heart of Scotland’s capital in a more contemplative manner. It gives you the chance to reflect on the people and places which have helped shape the life of this great city.
The walk contains 15 points of interest and the App offers thoughtful reflections at each stage along with a progress indicator.
The Tour is available in English and Scottish Gaelic.

http://www.stgilescathedral.org.uk/visit/learn-gaelic/

http://www.cathedral.net/about/a-tour-of-the-cathedral/inside-the-cathedral/

https://www.edinburghcastle.gov.uk/visit

https://www.visitscotland.com/info/see-do/rosslyn-chapel-p564661

Leaving the Edinburgh area and entering into the Borders.

http://www.stcuthbertsonline.com/history.htm

This reminds me of my first church in my home town in Hawick. This began the fascination with St Cuthbert. It look to have the same blueprint as the church I attended.

Following is the church I attended:

https://stcuthbertshawick.co.uk/

https://www.conversanttraveller.com/things-to-do-in-the-scottish-borders/

2 days in the Borders area in southeast Scotland which includes several interesting sites in preparation for the retreat on Holy Island

Jedburgh accommodation

Allerton House in Jedburgh for the nights of June 29 and June 30 2019. It was through booking.com

You can view it at this link:

Here is their website: https://allertonhouse.co.uk/

Jedburgh

Things to do in Jedburgh and beyond:

29th June 2019 Go to Scott’s View and Wallace Statue and have lunch at Milestone near St. Boswells. My parents meet us there for lunch, with Susan and the boys or join us as we see those sites mentioned.

Milestone

https://www.visitscotland.com/info/see-do/milestone-garden-leisure-p714361

30th Junes 2019. Choose out of the following options:

Go to Tourist Information
Jedburgh Abbey
Old Tree The Capon Tree According to the sign: The Capon Oak Tree is one of the last surviving trees of the ancient Jedforest, close to Jedwater.
https://youtu.be/4WKvesYcT_o
Jedburgh Castle Jail
Mary Queen of Scots House
Carter Bar: The Border Stone see the view and take pictures as a group of the view
Max Nowell Sculpture – Geology
Overview of things in borders
Melrose
Things to do in Melrose
Old Melrose and Tea Room Second Hand Bookstore
Old Melrose history – Old Melrose Historical & Archaeological Association
Scott’s View
Dryburgh Abby
Waterloo Monument
Fatlips Castle (key from Denholme petrol station)
Restaurants Suggestions by Trip Advisor

Visit Scott’s View and William Wallace Statue, Bemersyde.

http://www.sacred-destinations.com/scotland/melrose-abbey

Scott’s View

Google maps

Old Melrose

Old Melrose St. Cuthbert Chapel “The place where St Cuthbert started as a monk around 630AD.”

http://www.saintsandstones.net/saints-oldmelrose-journey.htm

http://melrose.bordernet.co.uk/mha/5/mailros.html

Old Melrose Interpretation Center: http://www.saintsandstones.net/saints-oldmelrose-2013b.htm

Dryburgh Abby

http://bikelove-scotland.blogspot.com/2012/07/dryburgh-abbey.html

https://www.holyislandhikes.co.uk/the-walks

Pilgrims Way

If you want to achieve something that is on many people’s bucket list, and follow in the footsteps of people who have taken this route for centuries, you will not be disappointed. A couple of key points though…follow the route marked by poles from the first lay bye on the causeway from the mainland side. Allow at least 70 to 90 mins unless you are an experienced walker. Also best to walk in bare feet across the sands. It can be slippy in places so walking sticks would help (but we managed without, although only just avoiding a couple of falls!). Always be aware of the safe tide crossing (the tidal times can vary, and refer to the causeway, not the pilgrims way, which can be 45 mins less than the causeway times). However, using common sense you can cross safely and enjoy the experience. We walked back on the road to make it a little easier and quicker, and allowing for more time using the causeway. Enjoy!

http://www.stcuthbertsway.info/

The thought presently is to walk a small section of the St. Cuthbert Way to allow us to have experienced the route Cuthbert could have possibly taken. http://www.stcuthbertsway.info/?product=scw-short-walks

https://www.northumberland.gov.uk/Highways/Public-transport/Crossing.aspx

http://www.northerncross.co.uk/nx-faqs08.htm

http://www.stcuthbertsway.info/#77-slide-5

map.St.Cuthberts way

Macs adventures

http://www.visitnorthumberland.com/itineraries/st-cuthbert-s-cave

http://icons.mullmonastery.com/st-cuthbert-full-size

http://www.stpaulschurchjarrow.com/norman-tower/northern-saints/

Jedburgh to Holy Island

http://www.walking-books.com/Photographer-sGuide-to-Northumberland.html

Things to see and do on Lindisfarne (Holy Island):

Other Location:

Bamburgh up the road from Holy Island

Bamburgh Castle

Open Gate on Holy Island for 2 nights, July 1 and 2. This has been booked:

Snip20170928_56

https://www.aidanandhilda.org.uk/open-gate.php

Tjitske Bongers kindly gave me permission to use the above photographs that she took and some PDF’s

Holy.Island.plattegrond.informatie (1)

http://marygatehouse.org.uk/group-retreats-at-marygate-house.html

http://marygatehouse.org.uk/home.html

https://www.aidanandhilda.org.uk/retreats-menu.php https://www.aidanandhilda.org.uk/open-gate.php https://www.lindisfarne.org.uk/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lindisfarne

http://blog.thewellatwillen.org.uk/2014/04

After our time on Holy Island onto St. Andrew’s

Albany Townhouse Hotel https://www.albanyhotelstandrews.co.uk/

https://www.visitscotland.com/destinations-maps/st-andrews/

Visit St Andrews Things to do

https://www.toppingbooks.co.uk/events/st-andrews/ian-bradley-with-the-fife-pilgrim-way/

Hotel at the Airport befor departing to return to the United States

Additional Information for future Pilgrimages tools to aid the next step:

Passport has it been acquired?
Cell Phone, talk to your phone provider what options there are for travel abroad.
Money: Pre-paid debit card or order travelers check or currency.
VISA/Mastercard AAA has a card with no charges for exchange rate conversion.
Medical Insurance. (Contact your present provider and learn foreign coverage)
Travel Insurance.
Car Rental options.
Gas for vehicle: remember this cost.
Ground travel: Train, Bus, Taxi (Look at Public transport options).
Packing lightly.

https://www.expedia.com/

https://www.flighthub.com/

https://www.cheapflights.co.uk

https://www.kayak.com/

http://www.tourist-information-uk.com/

Air BnB

http://www.ed.ac.uk/labyrinth/events/indoor

http://www.diwilliams.com/Resources.html

At beginning walk and before departing to return to the US, we walk the Labyrinth, this would bookend the journey with the conclusion of walking the Labyrinth. To compare our heart after the experience of the Pilgrimage.

The first morning for our spiritual activity will be to go walk a Labyrinth. Each other morning session will be a reflective exercise or artistic activity. Each person on the group is asked to participate by contributing by leading a session for the group. They may abstain from doing so, it is a challenge by choice. The participation would, however, give to the whole from the varying backgrounds and perspective of the group. We would bookend the Pilgrimage, and conclude our time together with a Labyrinth if time permits, and if I can locate a different location Labyrinth. Labyrinth Meditation

vol1-3 Peregrinations a PDF – THE LABYRINTHINE PATH OF PILGRIMAGE

By Tessa Morrison

Car Rental https://www.travelinescotland.com/